'Heavy' snow up to half a foot forecast today

PORTSMOUTH — Seacoast residents shouldn't put away their shovels and snowblowers just yet, as another significant snowstorm is expected to dump roughly half a foot on the area today.

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By Kyle Stucker

seacoastonline.com

By Kyle Stucker

Posted Feb. 18, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Kyle Stucker

Posted Feb. 18, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

PORTSMOUTH — Seacoast residents shouldn't put away their shovels and snowblowers just yet, as another significant snowstorm is expected to dump roughly half a foot on the area today.

The snow is expected to begin "in the early afternoon," with "heavy" snowfall coming just in time for the afternoon commute, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Schwibbs.

"It's not a biggie, though," Schwibbs said. "It's just going to be a pain. It's just a garden variety (snowstorm)."

No atypical freezing or flooding issues are expected along the New Hampshire and Maine coastlines, and the snowfall could be as little as 3 or 4 inches along the coast, according to Schwibbs. The snow, which will be caused by a low-pressure system rolling in from the Great Lakes, is expected to stop by 8 or 9 p.m. today.

Schwibbs said the storm will the first part of a "one-two punch," though, as a "weak" system is expected to bring rain Wednesday afternoon and evening.

It is possible a third storm could also hit the area Friday, bringing more rain as the bulk of the system passes through areas to the north.

Schwibbs said temperatures should be in the low 30s today, dipping to the mid 20s overnight before reaching highs in the mid- to upper 30s and 40s through the rest of the week.

"That's going to feel like a heat wave," joked Schwibbs about mid-40-degree temperatures Saturday. "You'll see people out there with their convertibles."